July 15, 2008

STAR Needs You!

Fall Session will begin soon and STAR is always looking for new volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering at STAR please plan to attend volunteer training on Sunday, August 10 from 1:30pm-5:30pm. The training for Jr. volunteers will be held on Tuesday, August 12 from 5pm-7pm. If you would like more information about volunteering at STAR, you can contact Melissa Suadi at 865-988-4711.

STAR's Bridles and Blue Jeans Fundraising Event is Huge Success!

STAR hosted its 4th annual Bridles and Blue Jeans extravaganza at their facility in Loudon County on April 26th. This highly anticipated invitation only event drew over 360 jean-clad guests. “This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. We were extremely thrilled to share and enjoy all the wonderful aspects of our new indoor arena!” said founder and executive director Lynn Petr. Click here to read the entire press release.

Indoor Arena Cutting

It all started with one determined college student named Lynn Klimas, who had a passion for horses and a love of teaching special needs children. Blending the two together to make STAR what it is today took overcoming many obstacles and much skepticism. Through hard work, long hours and the support of family and friends, Lynn encouraged her professors and the public to think outside the box when it came to an alternative treatment to enhance traditional therapy. In March 1987, STAR came to life as part of her Therapeutic Recreation Master’s thesis project at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Fast forward twenty-one years later to May 15th and the celebration of STAR’s Indoor Arena. “To see this many people here to celebrate with us is truly wonderful and overwhelming! What began as a program of five riders, one horse and one volunteer and one instructor at the family farm is now a program with 130 riders each week, nine NARHA certified instructors, over 260 volunteers and 24 horses/ponies. So much more than I ever thought was possible,” said Founder and Executive Director Lynn Klimas-Petr.

The Indoor Arena measures 80x200 and will allow STAR to double the therapeutic riding space and offer welcome relief and protection from the elements, which is especially vital to our medically fragile riders. This magnificent structure will provide STAR with the opportunity to offer seminars and host events, such as Bridles & Blue Jeans.

“We really have truly been blessed with helping hands on all fronts with the personal commitment of many generous people - foundations that have funded the program, professionals who offer their services, people who have gifted, the generosity of those who attend our fund raisers, and all those who volunteer their time and talents. We will continue to provide a place where those with disabilities and other special challenges can grow, learn and become as independent as possible,” continued Lynn.

Ride-A-Thon A Huge Success!

The week of May 18th saw 73 riders (double from last year!) participating in the 2008 STAR Ride-A-Thon. This event is a way for the riders to help STAR by raising money to offset the actual cost of riding sessions. Fun was the name of the game as riders rode an interactive trail. The event raised over $15,841! Megan Ramsey was the grand winner, bringing in $1,836. Every rider went home with a prize (many donated by Smart Toys and Books) and great memories of a fun-filled day.

Last Chance for Commemorative Bricks!

Commemorate a special event in someone’s life, honor a friend or family member, memorialize someone special or show your company’s support with a STAR memorial brick. What a great way to say thank you to a friend, mentor or family member!

The 4 x 8 bricks will line the sidewalk from the portico into the administration building and continue on to the barn. They not only look wonderful, but also will show our community support for STAR! There is a limited amount of space available, so contact Kristen Sanders at 988-4711.

Our mission is to foster personal achievement by providing therapeutic experiences using horse related activities for persons with disabilities or other special challenges.

Please check out our web site and e-mail us if you have questions.

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